I took this class because the grade distribution was sweet and the comments all say its an easy A, but it wasn't for me. I generally get very good grades, but this class takes some effort. You don't really have to do the readings, but he/the TAs have very specific grading rubrics and if you don't have certain statistics and points written out on your exams, you won't get an A.

Thought I killed the midterm because it was SOO common sense, and got all the multiple choice right but APPARENTLY left out very specific statistics (the ones I gave weren't good enough I guess) so got a B. Clicker is part of your grade so you do have to go to class (I didn't lol).

Otherwise it is worthwhile in making you think about your own relationships and despite people saying its all conservative jibberish, Wilcox is extremely educated on the subject and brings up some fair points on marriage. Fun, but not as much of a guaranteed high A as I was expecting.

Wilcox is the man, funniest/awkwardest guy but really nice and down to earth. The books are really interesting reads and I recommend keeping up, although you can get an A without doing them. For a politically charged class, he bucks the classic professorial trend and makes sure all viewpoints are presented. The libs complaining about him are just mad that he actually presents both sides of every issue. Furthermore, he billed the class as both a sociological review of the family and practical life/marriage advice (which is useful) at the beginning, so it really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that he taught the class as he said he would.

If you take this class with this professor, be prepared to be taught from a conservative and marriage-centered viewpoint. While he does present the class from different perspectives, the emphasis is very much on a conservative level and based on his own research. He is obviously a well-known and credited sociologist, but it was surprising to me that he taught the class almost more like a marriage preparation seminar than a study of sociology. I was conflicted about the class all semester, and I am still not entirely sure how I feel about it, but it was not hard at all.

Very easy class...but Wilcox's preaching gets old fast. He mentions other viewpoints to counter his conservative views but basically discredits them immediately. This class is more like a counseling session than a college lecture. You don't have to do the readings really and there's iClicker questions for attendance.

Everyone should take this class at some point in their life! It is a practical class that exposes the reality and psychology of marriage, which almost all of us will confront someday. It gives practical knowledge about marriage, divorce, and life. The readings are super interesting and not burdensome at all (pstt: you may/may not read it). Do attend the lectures. They have iClicker questions but overall, it is a common sense class yet providing a very interesting aspect of Sociology! Take it.

Pretty easy and really interesting class. You have to go to class for clicker questions but all the information is on the powerpoints he posts on-line so you don't really have to pay attention. The paper is long but it's not very hard and you can pick an interesting topic. You also essentially have the whole semester to write it. ASsignments are midterm and final (MC and short-answer), one 8 page paper, and one debate in discussion.

Class entailed a 10 page paper on topic of your choice, but was still very easy material. TA was amazing, very nice and understanding. Not all reading necessary, kind of common sense. go to lecture take good notes and A+ in the class. Professor used slide shows so easy to take notes during lecture

Really interesting class. Definitely comes from a conservative viewpoint though. Readings were interesting, except Wilcox's book. One paper and a group project (debate) that weren't too hard.

Totally worthwhile...truthfully Wilson's class should be called Sociology of the Conservative family...or at least a Conservative viewpoint on Family. Regardless i learned a lot, which was probably due to my TA (Matthew B) who used discussion to discuss both sides (Conservative and Liberal) perspective of the material covered in lecture. I think the best part about the class was that it provided a chance for people to look at both sides of some very important issues that effect everyone at one point or another in their lives.

Really easy common sense class. Go to lecture and study the slides and do the reading and it's a piece of cake. The class really makes you think about your relationships.